The bamboo alley of Arashiyama is one of the most popular (and therefore photographed) place in Kyoto. And it's free! In fact, a few of the most popular spots in Kyoto are also alleys, and they're also free, such as Pontocho or the torii-covered paths of the Fuchimi Inari shrine. But just like any popular spot, the bamboo alley can be very, very crowded. If you plan to take one of those pictures without anybody in it, be prepared to wake up very early. It is actually a good thing to do at the beginning of your day, before the other temples and shrines of the area open.

An impressive lake in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, an hour south of Dublin. Nearby there are many other sights in the mountain: various waterfalls, large boglands with sheep and streams, forests with wildlife, and historical places such as Glendalough, also other lakes. [Source]

Overlooking San Francisco Bay this is the best of both worlds perched above it all in a quiet, urban forested canyon with a 15 minute drive to glorious San Francisco via 280 or 101. 20 minutes to Palo Alto and the Silicon Valley. 20 minutes to Half Moon Bay and the beautiful Northern California coast. 7 minutes to BART or CalTrain at Millbrea station. 10 minutes from SFO. Walk to the beautiful Mills Canyon 3.1 mile loop trail. Bikes available for loan to ride along the Crystal Springs Reservoir or the Bay. Safe street parking directly below the Treehouse. [Source]

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historic mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616. [Source]

The Royal Temple of Mengwi is one of the most important temples in Bali. Built in 1634 by a King of the Mengwi dynasty, this impressive complex stands on an island in a river, its inner temple surrounded by a moat. Its Balinese name Pura Taman Ayun literally means ‘Garden Temple in the Water’. [Source]

The Amazon river might not sound like a luxury destination to many, but with Aqua Expeditions’ latest creation you may change your thinking. Peruvian Architect Jordi Puig created this luxe vacation spot on a 147 foot long boat that accommodates up to 32 guests plus the crew. [Source]

Suspended between the two towers of Fusionopolis Phase 1 and supported solely on a mega column, Genexis Theatre is an experimental theatre that has won a presidential award for its design in 2009. Its modular seating can accommodate a maximum of 560 people. [Source]

The Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) is a mountain in the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps. The name "Aiguille du Midi" translates literally as "Needle of the Noon" or "Needle of the Mid-day". In the brochure for its cable car the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc asserts it gets its name from the fact that it is to the south when viewed from in front of the church in Chamonix. [Wiki]